Quantitative analysis of substituted N,N-dimethyl-tryptamines in the presence of natural type XII alkaloids

This paper reports the qualitative and quantitative analysis (QA) of mixtures of hallucinogens, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) (1), 5-methoxy- (la) and 5-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (1b) in the presence of beta-carbolines (indole alkaloids of type XII) ((2), (3) and (5)}. The validated electronic absorption spectroscopic (EAs) protocol achieved a concentration limit of detection (LOD) of 7.2.10(-7) mol/L {concentration limit of quantification (LOQ) of 24.10(-7) mol/L) using bands (lambda max within 260+/-0.23-262+/-0.33 nm. Metrology, including accuracy, measurement repeatability, measurement precision, trueness of measurement, and reproducibility of the measurements are presented using N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMA) as standard. The analytical quantities of mixtures of alkaloids 4, 6 and 7 are: lambda max 317+/-0.45, 338+/-0.69 and 430+/-0.09 for 4 (LOD, 8.6.10(-7) mol/L; LOQ, 28.66(6), mol/L), as well as 528+/-0.75 nm for 6 and 7 (LOD, 8.2.10(-7) mol/L; LOQ, 27.33(3), mol/L), respectively. The partially validated protocols by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), electrospray ionization (ESI), mass spectrometry (MS), both in single and tandem operation (MS/MS) mode, as well as matrix/assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) MS are elaborated. The Raman spectroscopic (RS) protocol for analysis of psychoactive substances, characterized by strong fluorescence RS profile was developed, with the detection limits being discussed. The known synergistic effect leading to increase the psychoactive and hallucinogenic properties and the reported acute poisoning cases from 1-7, make the present study emergent, since as well the current lack of analytical data and the herein metrology obtained contributed to the elaboration of highly selective and precise analytical protocols, which would be of interest in the field of criminal forensic analysis.

Gas chromatographic analysis of dimethyltryptamine and beta-carboline alkaloids in ayahuasca, an Amazonian psychoactive plant beverage

INTRODUCTION

Ayahuasca is obtained by infusing the pounded stems of Banisteriopsis caapi in combination with the leaves of Psychotria viridis. P. viridis is rich in the psychedelic indole N,N-dimethyltryptamine, whereas B. caapi contains substantial amounts of beta-carboline alkaloids, mainly harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine, which are monoamine-oxidase inhibitors. Because of differences in composition in ayahuasca preparations, a method to measure their main active constituents is needed.

OBJECTIVE

To develop a gas chromatographic method for the simultaneous determination of dimethyltryptamine and the main beta-carbolines found in ayahuasca preparations.

METHODOLOGY

The alkaloids were extracted by means of solid phase extraction (C(18)) and detected by gas chromatography with nitrogen/phosphorous detector.

RESULTS

The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 0.02 mg/mL for all analytes. The calibration curves were linear over a concentration range of 0.02-4.0 mg/mL (r(2 )> 0.99). The method was also precise (RSD < 10%).

CONCLUSION

A simple gas chromatographic method to determine the main alkaloids found in ayahuasca was developed and validated. The method can be useful to estimate administered doses in animals and humans for further pharmacological and toxicological investigations of ayahuasca.

Various alkaloid profiles in decoctions of Banisteriopsis caapi

Twenty nine decoctions of Banisteriopsis caapi from four different sources and one specimen of B. caapi paste were analyzed for N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), tetrahydroharmine (THH), harmaline and harmine. Other plants were also used in the preparation of these products, typically Psychotria viridis, which provides DMT. There were considerable variations in alkaloid profiles, both within and between sample sources. DMT was not detected in all samples. Additional THH may be formed from both harmine and harmaline during the preparation of these products. The alkaloid composition of one decoction sample did not change significantly after standing at room temperature for 80 days, but the initial acidic pH was neutralized by natural fermentation after 50 days.

Distribution of the hallucinogens N,N-dimethyltryptamine and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine in rat brain following intraperitoneal injection: application of a new solid-phase extraction LC-APcI-MS-MS-isotope dilution method

A method for the solid-phase extraction (SPE) and liquid chromatographic-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometric-mass spectrometric-isotope dilution (LC-APcI-MS-MS-ID) analysis of the indole hallucinogens N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and 5-methoxy DMT (or O-methyl bufotenin, OMB) from rat brain tissue is reported. Rats were administered DMT or OMB by the intraperitoneal route at a dose of 5 mg/kg and sacrificed 15 min post treatment. Brains were dissected into discrete areas and analyzed by the methods described as a demonstration of the procedure's applicability. The synthesis and use of two new deuterated internal standards for these purposes are also reported.

Development of immunoassays for tyramine and tryptamine toxins of Phalaris aquatica L

The leaves of the perennial pasture grass Phalaris aquatica L. (phalaris) contain two groups of known toxins, indole alkaloids, primarily dimethyltryptamines and N-methyltyramines, which cause illnesses in grazing animals, especially sheep. Using amino-reactive and phenolic hydroxyl-reactive homobifunctional reagents, simple methods were devised for coupling toxins representative of those in phalaris to carrier proteins and enzymes for ELISA development. ELISAs were produced for both groups of toxins. Dimethyltryptamines were most sensitively detected [lower limit of detection (LLD) of 1 microg/L for bufotenine] using rabbit anti-bufotenine antibodies, coupled to ovalbumin using divinyl sulfone, with detection using a peroxidase conjugate prepared using the same hapten coupled with 1, 4-butanediol diglycidyl ether. The assay cross-reacted with other toxins of the same class (N,N-dimethyltryptamine and N, N-dimethyl-5-methoxytryptamine) but not with the structurally related amino acids histidine and tryptophan. The most sensitive N-methyltyramine assay (LLD of 1 microg/mL for N-methyltyramine) utilized antisera to tyramine with N-methyltyramine coupled to peroxidase. Significant cross-reaction was seen with the low-grade toxin hordenine, but detection of tyramine was poorer, whereas the amino acid tyrosine was not detected. These assays could be applied to the analysis of simple extracts of Phalaris leaves with minimal interference. A good correspondence was observed between toxin levels by ELISA and estimates from a more tedious thin-layer chromatography method. The method has now been incorporated in a Phalaris breeding program.

A simple and sensitive quantitation of N,N-dimethyltryptamine by gas chromatography with surface ionization detection

A simple and sensitive method for determination of N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) by gas chromatography (GC) with surface ionization detection (SID) is presented. Whole blood or urine, containing DMT and gramine (internal standard), was subjected to solid-phase extraction with a Sep-Pak C18 cartridge before analysis by GC-SID. The calibration curve was linear in the DMT range of 1.25-20 ng/mL blood or urine. The detection limit of DMT was about 0.5 ng/mL (10 pg on-column). The recovery of both DMT and gramine spiked in biological fluids was above 86%.

Ontogeny of N,N-dimethyltryptamine and related indolealkylamine levels in neonatal rats

The present study deals with the measurement of the brain levels of the two potent hallucinogens N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (OMB), the biogenic amine tryptamine (TA), and its condensation product 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-beta-carboline (THBC) in rats of various ages. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with isotope dilution, we detected DMT, OMB, and THBC in neonatal rats from birth. DMT levels remained low until days 12 and 17 at which time they increased significantly and then returned to the initial low levels for all subsequent ages. The levels of OMB were higher than those measured for DMT with the highest levels being observed at days 12 and 17, and also on day 31. However, the levels for OMB showed much more variation. Although elevated levels of DMT and OMB have been correlated with stress, there are no known functions for these compounds. TA levels remained below detection limits until day 19. THBC levels were observed to be highest on days 22 and 31. The role that THBC plays in mammalian tissues is not known.

Monoamine oxidase inhibitors in South American hallucinogenic plants: tryptamine and beta-carboline constituents of ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic beverage derived by boiling the bark of the Malpighiaceous liana Banisteriopsis caapi together with the leaves of various admixture plants, viz. Psychotria viridis, Psychotria carthagenensis , or Diplopterys cabrerana . B. caapi contains harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine while the admixtures contain N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). DMT, a potent hallucinogen, is inactive orally due to degradation by visceral monoamine oxidase (MAO). The beta-carbolines, however, are highly active reversible inhibitors of MAO and may protect the DMT from deamination by MAO and render it orally active. This mechanism has been proposed to underlie the oral activity of ayahuasca but has not been experimentally confirmed. In the present study the constituents of the admixture plants and the alkaloids of eight ayahuasca samples from Peru were qualitatively and quantitatively analyzed using two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography (TLC), high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Several B. caapi cultivars were quantitatively compared for variations in alkaloid content. Three admixture plants used rarely in the manufacture of ayahuasca were also screened for alkaloids. A selected sample of beta-carbolines were screened for activity as MAO inhibitors using an in vitro assay system, and structure/activity relationships were compared. Inhibition observed with single compounds was compared with the activity of selected samples of ayahuasca which were screened in the system and also with the activity of mixtures of beta-carbolines. The levels of DMT and beta-carbolines found in the ayahuasca samples examined in the present study were an order of magnitude greater than the levels reported in a previous study. Ayahuasca was found to be an extremely effective inhibitor of MAO in vitro and the degree of inhibition was directly correlated with the concentration of MAO-inhibiting beta-carbolines. Inhibition experiments using mixtures of beta-carbolines indicated that their effects in combination are additive, rather than synergistic or antagonistic. Implications of the results in understanding the pharmacology of ayahuasca are discussed.

Biochemical and biomedical applications of capillary column GLC using SIM

This report focuses on recent applications of capillary column GLC to the analysis of drugs and metabolites, other xenobiotics, natural products, and environmental contaminants in samples of biological origin. The increasing use of selected ion monitoring, combined with stable isotope methods as a means of GLC detection and quantification, is emphasized. Specific topics covered include the use of capillary column GLC for 1) determining the pharmacokinetics of timolol (BLOCADREN) in human volunteers by simultaneous oral and intravenous administration of this beta-blocker and its 13C3-labeled analog; 2) measuring residue levels of the forced molting agent, xylonidine, in yolk and albumen of chicken eggs; 3) monitoring animal plasma and tissues for the depletion of 5-hydroxy-1,3-dioxane and 4-hydroxymethyl-1,3-dioxolane (isomeric components of glycerol formal, an animal drug formulation component); 4) detecting 13C, 15N-methyltryptamine (a biosynthesis product from 13C, 15N-tryptamine) in human urine; and 5) measuring estradiol levels in biological samples.

Quantitative assay of the N-methylated metabolites of tryptamine and serotonin by gas chromatography mass spectrometry as applied to the determination of lung indoleethylamine N-methyltransferase activity

A specific and sensitive method is described for the identifcation and quantification of the N-mono- and dimethylated derivatives of tryptamine and serotonin by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Deuterated analogues of the amines have been prepared for use as internal standards. The technique has been applied to the determination of indoleethylamine N-methyltransferase activity in rabbit and human lung. No interference from the beta-carboline formation or other side reactions between the substrates and the methyl donor was observed.

Determination of N,N-dimethylindolealkylamines in plasma, blood and urine extracts by radioimmunoassay and high pressure liquid chromatography

A sensitive radioimmunoassay for N,N-dimethylindolealkylamine derivatives has been developed. It is possible to detect 200 to 700 femtomoles of 5-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine, 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine or N,N-dimethyltryptamine in a given sample. Antibodies were produced in rabbits immunized with a conjugate prepared by reacting 5-hydroxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine with a diazotized dl-p-amino-phenylalanine bovine serum albumin conjugate. For identification of immunoreactive material high pressure liquid chromatography was used to separate these compounds from each other and from known cross-reacting compounds found in physiological specimens. After chromatography, individual fractions were analyzed by the radioimmunoassay. This combination of high pressure liquid chromatography and radioimmunoassay has permitted the identification and quantification of these compounds in extracts of urine, plasma and whole blood from normal individuals.